Watch: Panic Grips Doha Mall As Missiles Target US Base In Qatar
As air raid sirens blared and loud explosions shook the night sky, panic swept through a crowded shopping mall in Doha on Monday. Shoppers screamed and scrambled for safety, unsure of what was unfolding above them. The chaos came moments after Iran launched a dramatic missile strike on Al Udeid Air Base, a key hub for American forces in Qatar.
The attack was part of a wider escalation, with Iranian state media broadcasting patriotic music and hailing the strike as a “mighty and successful response” to what Tehran calls U.S. aggression against its nuclear facilities. According to Iranian reports, the operation — named “Blessing of Victory” — also targeted American positions in Iraq.
In Qatar’s capital, witnesses reported seeing flares streaking across the night sky. While it remained unclear at first whether these were incoming missiles or defensive countermeasures, loud detonations quickly followed. The tension on the ground was palpable. Inside malls and public spaces, confusion and fear rippled through the crowds.
Qatar’s Ministry of Defence later confirmed that 19 missiles were fired from Iran. Only one managed to reach Al Udeid Air Base, the statement said, but it caused no injuries. The ministry credited the swift response of Qatar’s air defence systems and the vigilance of its armed forces for preventing any casualties.
“This is a clear and unacceptable breach of our sovereignty,” the Qatari government said, strongly condemning the attack. Although Iran attempted to reassure Qatar, stating that the strikes were solely aimed at U.S. forces and posed “no threat to our brotherly nation,” officials in Doha remained firm in their denunciation.
Qatar Slams Missile Attack From Iran
Qatar has issued a sharp rebuke following Iran’s missile strike on Al Udeid Air Base, with the Prime Minister’s Advisor and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed Al Ansari condemning the attack in strong terms.
“The State of Qatar strongly condemns the attack that targeted Al-Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. We consider this a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter,” Al Ansari stated.
Iran’s National Security Council, in its own statement, said the number of missiles launched was deliberately chosen to match the number of bombs the U.S. had used in a recent strike on Iranian nuclear sites.
Meanwhile, Axios, citing an Israeli official, reported that Iran launched at least six missiles at U.S. positions in Qatar. The outlet had earlier warned of imminent Iranian retaliation, according to Reuters.
As the region teeters on the edge, Monday night’s strike marks a significant escalation. For many in Qatar, especially those caught in the heart of the capital during the attack, the fear remains fresh — a stark reminder of how quickly regional tensions can spill into everyday life.
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